I recently bought a 2006 FLHRI Road King. The fuel injection is incredible. No choke. even at 40 degrees. push button bike starts and idles. Now before you go and move my post... I am old-school... at 16, I was lucky enough to have the greatest friend ever, my Pops. We fished together, hunted together, and rode dirt bikes together.
For my 16th he bought me a '72 FLH basket case. We spent the next winter building a beauty. Beautiful as she was, she had a stubborn streak!! Like a beautiful woman, as the intimacy develops... so do all the quirks and eccentricities. Sometimes she would flood and not start. Other times you wouldn't hear her starter. Since this is the Shovelhead forum, I'm pretty sure you all know what I mean... "Hey mister! Your legs on fire!"
Back to the 06 RK. With all the simplicity of the fuel injection, you lose the intimacy of being able to make it run the way you want it to run.
I miss that idle.
The sound of a perfectly tuned shovelhead. When you get the valves adjusted just right. The points set perfectly. The timing a bit retarded (to make up for unleaded fuel).
And then came the carb... being able to adjust idle mixture and speed until it was just a bit rich... and it was magic!
Bud-da-bump, bud-da-bump, bud-da-bump... That sound was the reward for your efforts.

 

5 to 10 grand buys a nice one and make it what you once had

the twinkie you now own if you don't have a sweaker in you pocket to sound the horn you wont find it right away

the shovel on the other hand just look for the guys standing looking at a real machine and wishing

 

I'm gonna like it here... LOL
I have my smart watch bluetooth my smartphone to activate the remote start so by the time I get my spacesuit and satelite communication helmet and load my 90s pop playlist the bike seat handgrips and footboards are at optimum temperature

 

Huston, we have ignition, and launch in 5 4 3 2 1

 

Yup, I get that all the time..... Love it..... My 77 FXE actually became my "go to" bike....

 

I have my 06 Softail and that was my daily bike, but now that I bought and am fixing up a 1982 XLSA it may become my daily, that potato sound on an ironhead cannot be beat. Mind you I am still setting up the carb it is running lean. I am on the hunt for a CV 40 carb for cheap to rebuild and jet to work on the sporty.

 

An Ironhead sounds like a Harley should.

 

My buddy calls my Flathead the "Conversation starter", can't get out of a gas station or parking lot without someone coming to talk to you about her. Shovel has the same affect. Not a good choice of bike if you are an introvert.

 

I rode it to get gas for the first time the other day (the bike is that new to me and I finally could give it a good run). It has an antique tag and a guy stopped and wanted to talk about the year, original paint and miles. He was blown away when I told him 98% original. The pipes and seat are the only things not original HD. Today, at work our SRO stopped me to check out the bike and take a picture to show to her husband. Glad, I am an extrovert.